{"title":"Blind Spots in Group Psychotherapy: \"Why Don't They See Them?\"","authors":"Robert S Pepper","doi":"10.1080/00207284.2024.2431040","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dual relationships in the training and treatment of group therapists are inherent and endemic to the profession of psychoanalytic group therapy. Independently of theoretical orientation at many training institutes, senior group leaders double as training group analysts, teachers, supervisors, administrators, friends, and sometimes even relatives of group trainees. Further, these trainees are often in the same treatment groups, supervision groups, and classes with each other and may also be friends and relatives. These complicated relationships often blur the boundaries between therapy and not therapy, and they have an incestuous quality. They may even produce iatrogenic treatment reactions when realistic negative perceptions are interpreted as transference and resistance. This can be harmful and can lead to the development of ethical dilemmas and clinical boundary violations. This brief report presents the author's experience leading an open session at AGPA's 2024 Annual Conference that addresses attendees' concerns about this troubling situation.</p>","PeriodicalId":46441,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Group Psychotherapy","volume":"74 4","pages":"432-448"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Group Psychotherapy","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2024.2431040","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/12/16 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
Blind Spots in Group Psychotherapy: "Why Don't They See Them?"
Dual relationships in the training and treatment of group therapists are inherent and endemic to the profession of psychoanalytic group therapy. Independently of theoretical orientation at many training institutes, senior group leaders double as training group analysts, teachers, supervisors, administrators, friends, and sometimes even relatives of group trainees. Further, these trainees are often in the same treatment groups, supervision groups, and classes with each other and may also be friends and relatives. These complicated relationships often blur the boundaries between therapy and not therapy, and they have an incestuous quality. They may even produce iatrogenic treatment reactions when realistic negative perceptions are interpreted as transference and resistance. This can be harmful and can lead to the development of ethical dilemmas and clinical boundary violations. This brief report presents the author's experience leading an open session at AGPA's 2024 Annual Conference that addresses attendees' concerns about this troubling situation.
期刊介绍:
Recognized as the leading source of information on group therapy theory, practice, and research, this journal features contributions from foremost experts in the field. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy offers: - Clinical articles on group treatment models, process issues, and techniques - Research reviews that keep practitioners up to date - Thought-provoking essays in the Reader"s Forum and Commentary sections - Reviews of current books and video releases - Special issues on such topics as evidence-based practice and ethics